Pac-12 Preview: 2013 Predictions
By Kyle Kensing
Nov 17, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Marion Grice (1) beaks a tackle during the first quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
PAC-12 SOUTH
ARIZONA WILDCATS
Projected record: 8-4, 5-4 Pac-12
Most important game: vs. UCLA (Nov. 9)
The Bruins destroyed UA in last season’s match-up. Revenge will be on the Wildcats’ minds, but more importantly is the critical foundation the UCLA game sets for the home stretch.
Potential to be upset: at Cal (Nov. 2)
Memorial Stadium is not kind to Arizona teams, and odd things tend to happen there. On UA’s last trip, a late, would-be game-tying drive stalled when Nick Foles threw twice on the same play; that’s a no-no.
Forecast: Rich Rodriguez’s first season as UA head coach exceeded most expectations. His second team is loaded with experience on offense and defense. Yet, the defense needs major improvements and the offense must find replacements for departed Matt Scott and injured Austin Hill. A weak opening schedule should give UA time to build its identity.
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
Projected record: 9-3, 7-2 Pac-12
Most important game: vs. USC (Sept. 28)
Before the Sun Devils’ defeat of the Trojans in 2011, USC held a 15-year win streak. The 2011 win wasn’t the catapult into a championship season ASU wanted, but it could be in 2013. The USC game falls amid a brutal four-game stretch that also includes Wisconsin, Stanford and Notre Dame.
Potential to be upset: at Washington State (Oct. 31)
Pullman is not Tempe. Coeds at ASU are still wearing shorts and flip-flops on Halloween. In Pullman, they’re bundled up. A national TV audience and the added excitement of a holiday is sure to have Martin Stadium rocking.
Forecast: ASU finished strong in its first season under Todd Graham. Returning a solid corps, particularly on defense, the Sun Devils are the class of the South on paper.
COLORADO BUFFALOES
Projected record: 3-9, 1-8 Pac-12
Most important game: vs. Arizona (Oct. 26)
Colorado beat Arizona on the Wildcats’ inaugural conference visit to Boulder. This time, CU welcomes UA on the Buffaloes’ Homecoming.
Potential for an upset: vs. Cal (Nov. 16)
The Golden Bears needed overtime to win on their last visit to Boulder.
Forecast: Colorado’s road back to relevance is long and arduous. Improvement is demonstrated in more competitive results and a few conference wins — heck, multiple wins period is progress.
UCLA BRUINS
Projected record: 7-5, 5-4 Pac-12
Most important game: vs. Washington (Nov. 15)
The Huskies come to the Rose Bowl to kickoff a triple shot that could determine the Bruins’ season. Arizona State and USC follow in the next two weeks, so a win over the Dogs sets the right tone.
Potential to be upset: at Utah (Oct. 3)
Travis Wilson is as intriguing a quarterback as there is in the Pac-12’s 2013 crop. He had a strong outing against the Bruins last year, and could lead an upset if the Bruins don’t come into this Thursday night tilt focused.
Forecast: Brett Hundley is one of, if not the best quarterback in the Pac-12. He’ll need to be especially good with Johnathan Franklin gone, and the Bruin front seven must set the tone for a youthful secondary. A third consecutive Pac-12 championship game is an uphill climb.
USC TROJANS
Projected record: 8-5, 5-4 Pac-12
Most important game: vs. Stanford (Nov. 16)
Stanford’s recent dominance of the series is a microcosm of USC losing its place at the head of the Pac table. Snapping the Cardinal’s win streak not only boosts USC in the conference title race, but also carries deeper significance.
Potential to be upset: at Oregon State (Nov. 1)
This isn’t an upset per se, but Corvallis is never friendly to the Trojans. USC should be in the thick of the conference race at this point, so weathering this Friday night storm is critical to the Trojans’ season.
Forecast: The pieces are in place for USC to have a bounce-back season and win the the division. Quarterback, continued depth issues and the mounting pressure on Lane Kiffin all linger over everything that transpires this season.
UTAH UTES
October 27, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; California Golden Bears running back Brendan Bigelow (5) runs the ball as Utah Utes linebacker Trevor Reilly (9) has Utah looking at making a bowl in the Pac-12 preview. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Projected record: 6-6, 4-5 Pac-12
Most important game: vs. Oregon State (Sept. 14)
Oregon State’s visit to Rice-Eccles is the first in a make-or-break four-game stretch for UU. Home games against Stanford and UCLA follow, as well as a visit to rival BYU for the Holy War’s final installment. A win over OSU sets the tone not only for those four games, but the Utes’ season.
Potential for an upset: vs. UCLA (Oct. 3)
The Utes played South division champion UCLA tight in the Rose Bowl last season. Getting the Bruins at home on a Thursday night could turn the tables.
Forecast: Seeing the speed and size of Pac-12 competition pn a weekly basis caught up to Utah in its second year. Losing records are rare in SLC. Expect Kyle Whittingham to have this Utes motivated and competing hard to get back into the postseason.